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Icon of the Seas Blocks Are In The House!

Lloyd555

By Lloyd555,
in Royal Caribbean International

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Eremita85

Eremita85

Posted
Posted (edited)

It took a while, but here are some of my photos from the Icon of the Seas' inclining tests from last Tuesday. The inclining tests took five hours to complete.

https://www.facebook.com/Eremita85/posts/24890090093923052

PS. my photos of the bow lights etc. are coming maybe next week 😄 Finki is way more faster with the editing and posting...

2023-10-17 18-38-48-DJI_20231017183848_0760_D.jpg

Edited by Eremita85
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Jumping Cruiser

Jumping Cruiser

Posted
Posted
14 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Wouldn't surprise me to see even more.  They did 6 Oasis.


I agree. I am also expecting edge-class sized ships as well over the next 5 or so years. I think this is known internally as ‘Project Discovery’ if I remember right. These will be needed to start to replace Radiance and Voyager class. I wonder though whether they will build 3 Icons then a PD vessel, or just 4 Icons one after the other? 

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Ourusualbeach

Ourusualbeach

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10 minutes ago, Jumping Cruiser said:


I agree. I am also expecting edge-class sized ships as well over the next 5 or so years. I think this is known internally as ‘Project Discovery’ if I remember right. These will be needed to start to replace Radiance and Voyager class. I wonder though whether they will build 3 Icons then a PD vessel, or just 4 Icons one after the other? 

You're correct, it is Project Discovery.  To me. They need these before a 4th Icon class.  I'm guessing thst once they start you will see one a year for a number of years in a row.  

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Nathan Graveson

Nathan Graveson

Posted
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40 minutes ago, Jumping Cruiser said:


I agree. I am also expecting edge-class sized ships as well over the next 5 or so years. I think this is known internally as ‘Project Discovery’ if I remember right. These will be needed to start to replace Radiance and Voyager class. I wonder though whether they will build 3 Icons then a PD vessel, or just 4 Icons one after the other? 

Its funny really... I think it was almost inevitable for a 4th Icon Class ship to be ordered. But I think a few things need to be considered.

 

Firstly, Royal have had the option of Oasis 7 from Chantiers De L'Atlantique, which was shelved/rejected due to the Icon Program. The concept of Oasis 7 would only follow Utopia: LNG-Powered, similar features, etc. Obviously Royal and Chantiers have a good relationship, however it is no were near the partnership with the Meyer Group. Voyager Class, Freedom Class, Oasis & Allure, Quantum Class and now Icon Class ships have been built at both Meyer Turku, Finland and/or Meyer Werft, Germany. My point about partnerships with shipyards is relevant as Royal put the faith in the Meyer Group for each of these classes of ships, all different and unique, even ground-breaking in design, which shows with the Icon Program that Royal trust them to construct and partially design these new ships. One oddball is the Edge-Class for Celebrity Cruises, all built/being built at Chantiers, you could make an argument for the rest of the Oasis-Class being built in Chantiers, however my argument for it is that Tui Cruises and the Carnival Corporation had booked orders at Meyer Turku for quite a while, leaving Royal to have to move designs to France. 

Meyer Turku Ship Timeline

I've inserted this link to show that they had been booked up by Ferry companies and other Cruise Lines after Oasis & Allure. It also has to be said that size wasn't why they moved, it was the shipyard schedule, so rumours about moving because of size are false.

 

Secondly, Project Discovery/Discovery of the Seas. Let's be honest, Royal needs this. A smaller class of ship, similar in size to the Voyager/Freedom Class ships. For me, Independence of the Seas is the pinnacle of the fleet; packing all the fun into a smaller package. From what I believe, Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany will be contracted to construct these ships within the next few months. Meyer Werft's schedule is empty after the delivery of Disney's 3rd Triton-Class vessel, meaning that Royal could get in there and order their new ships. A rumbling that I heard from a few people I know with high up positions at Meyer Werft is that Royal have been having regular meetings with the team at the shipyard to go over what they want, and also show off their designs. 

Meyer Werft Ship Timeline

Again, I have inserted a link that shows the orders of new ships, bare in mind that Asuka III will be built in the smaller dock where Silver Nova/Silver Ray have been constructed in, leaving the famous Hall 6 empty.

Project Discovery, it is a project that truly is secretive, much like the Icon Program was for the past 7 something years. What we can understand so far after the confirmation from various sources such as the Captain of Ovation of the Seas, the ship will be smaller than the Quantum-Class, but bigger than the Voyager Class, potentially putting it in the range of 150,000 Gross Registered Tonnes. That puts it in a similar size category as the Freedom-Class, Norwegian's Breakaway-Class and Queen Mary 2. Obviously, it is still big, however, I think it is the perfect size for Royal to play with, it would allow them to fit the standard Royal features, as well as adding new and exciting features, never seen before. I think we may find out some more information shortly, I do believe that a contract will be signed with the Meyer Group within the next few months for this new class of ships, but you know, we'll see what happens.

 

Finally, the case for a 4th Icon Class vessel. You could say this is a bit of a premature decision as Icon hasn't even started sailing yet, however, the fact that bookings for Icon's 2025-26 Season had to be opened 3 months early, says a lot about the demand for this new class of ship. It shows that a lot of people are putting their faith in Royal for these new ships, showing that Royal has to deliver what the people want. When Star goes on sale next Summer, that will be the final indication of whether or not a 4th Icon-Class ship is needed, if demand is incredibly high like it was for Icon, that ship will be ordered, otherwise it may leave Royal in doubt whether or not to put in another $2 Billion investment. I think we should just hold onto our horses for now, but I think once we see how well Icon performs next year and see how well demand for Star is then we can through all our eggs in one basket and get that 4th Icon-Class ship underway...

 

If I have rambled too much, tough... I just want to share my thoughts and opinions on all the current stuff going on at Royal, possibly adding to some of your thoughts. But yeah, thats me done for now!

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Nathan Graveson

Nathan Graveson

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

You left out the most important comparison...Edge class.  Fits with possibly having them built at Meyer.  I expect a similar design

I could see design cues from the Edge-Class, however, we are most likely expecting a Parabolic Ultra-Bow similar to Icon and Edge, and possibly a heavier emphasis on Infinite Balconies!

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Ourusualbeach

Ourusualbeach

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, Nathan Graveson said:

I could see design cues from the Edge-Class, however, we are most likely expecting a Parabolic Ultra-Bow similar to Icon and Edge, and possibly a heavier emphasis on Infinite Balconies!

I was only referring to size wise.  Just seemed more appropriate to compare Discovery to existing Royal / Celebrity ships than to NCL or Cunard

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Lloyd555

Lloyd555

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4 hours ago, Nathan Graveson said:

Its funny really... I think it was almost inevitable for a 4th Icon Class ship to be ordered. But I think a few things need to be considered.

 

Firstly, Royal have had the option of Oasis 7 from Chantiers De L'Atlantique, which was shelved/rejected due to the Icon Program. The concept of Oasis 7 would only follow Utopia: LNG-Powered, similar features, etc. Obviously Royal and Chantiers have a good relationship, however it is no were near the partnership with the Meyer Group. Voyager Class, Freedom Class, Oasis & Allure, Quantum Class and now Icon Class ships have been built at both Meyer Turku, Finland and/or Meyer Werft, Germany. My point about partnerships with shipyards is relevant as Royal put the faith in the Meyer Group for each of these classes of ships, all different and unique, even ground-breaking in design, which shows with the Icon Program that Royal trust them to construct and partially design these new ships. One oddball is the Edge-Class for Celebrity Cruises, all built/being built at Chantiers, you could make an argument for the rest of the Oasis-Class being built in Chantiers, however my argument for it is that Tui Cruises and the Carnival Corporation had booked orders at Meyer Turku for quite a while, leaving Royal to have to move designs to France. 

Meyer Turku Ship Timeline

I've inserted this link to show that they had been booked up by Ferry companies and other Cruise Lines after Oasis & Allure. It also has to be said that size wasn't why they moved, it was the shipyard schedule, so rumours about moving because of size are false.

 

Secondly, Project Discovery/Discovery of the Seas. Let's be honest, Royal needs this. A smaller class of ship, similar in size to the Voyager/Freedom Class ships. For me, Independence of the Seas is the pinnacle of the fleet; packing all the fun into a smaller package. From what I believe, Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany will be contracted to construct these ships within the next few months. Meyer Werft's schedule is empty after the delivery of Disney's 3rd Triton-Class vessel, meaning that Royal could get in there and order their new ships. A rumbling that I heard from a few people I know with high up positions at Meyer Werft is that Royal have been having regular meetings with the team at the shipyard to go over what they want, and also show off their designs. 

Meyer Werft Ship Timeline

Again, I have inserted a link that shows the orders of new ships, bare in mind that Asuka III will be built in the smaller dock where Silver Nova/Silver Ray have been constructed in, leaving the famous Hall 6 empty.

Project Discovery, it is a project that truly is secretive, much like the Icon Program was for the past 7 something years. What we can understand so far after the confirmation from various sources such as the Captain of Ovation of the Seas, the ship will be smaller than the Quantum-Class, but bigger than the Voyager Class, potentially putting it in the range of 150,000 Gross Registered Tonnes. That puts it in a similar size category as the Freedom-Class, Norwegian's Breakaway-Class and Queen Mary 2. Obviously, it is still big, however, I think it is the perfect size for Royal to play with, it would allow them to fit the standard Royal features, as well as adding new and exciting features, never seen before. I think we may find out some more information shortly, I do believe that a contract will be signed with the Meyer Group within the next few months for this new class of ships, but you know, we'll see what happens.

 

Finally, the case for a 4th Icon Class vessel. You could say this is a bit of a premature decision as Icon hasn't even started sailing yet, however, the fact that bookings for Icon's 2025-26 Season had to be opened 3 months early, says a lot about the demand for this new class of ship. It shows that a lot of people are putting their faith in Royal for these new ships, showing that Royal has to deliver what the people want. When Star goes on sale next Summer, that will be the final indication of whether or not a 4th Icon-Class ship is needed, if demand is incredibly high like it was for Icon, that ship will be ordered, otherwise it may leave Royal in doubt whether or not to put in another $2 Billion investment. I think we should just hold onto our horses for now, but I think once we see how well Icon performs next year and see how well demand for Star is then we can through all our eggs in one basket and get that 4th Icon-Class ship underway...

 

If I have rambled too much, tough... I just want to share my thoughts and opinions on all the current stuff going on at Royal, possibly adding to some of your thoughts. But yeah, thats me done for now!

 

I got more curious about Project Discovery just in time. Seeing it mentioned more. 😄

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Eremita85

Eremita85

Posted
Posted (edited)
1 minute ago, Tall-Cruiser said:

Thanks for the update. Just looked at webcam and looks like a lot of people are out probably to see Icon.

Some of them propably, but there is sauna which is pretty popular throughout the year 🙂 some people are still swimming in the sea too! 

Our local tug from port of Turku already left, three others which came from elsewhere will propably stay there whole night.

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Tall-Cruiser

Tall-Cruiser

Posted
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7 minutes ago, Eremita85 said:

Some of them propably, but there is sauna which is pretty popular throughout the year 🙂 some people are still swimming in the sea too! 

Our local tug from port of Turku already left, three others which came from elsewhere will propably stay there whole night.

The water must be real cold for swimming this time of the year with the snow just starting, but I suppose many enjoy that there 😀

Icon is looking good with its lighting at night. 

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